Quiet birthday reflection.

When I retired from active service at the age of 65 in mid 1997, I thought I might have five years to enjoy my retirement. By then I would have reached my 'three score years and ten.' But 16 years after retirement I am still alive and kicking, thanks to the mercy and grace of God. My wife although younger retired at the same time with me.

My parents passed away in their mid seventies; so was my sister the eldest in the family. My elder brother went to be with the Lord when he was 55 the year we were posted to Hong Kong.  My younger brother passed away at the age of 72. Here am I the only one in the family still alive.

Birth and death are in the hands of God and when the time comes, we go to meet our Maker. The important thing is to be prepared for eternity. So here am I at the age of 81 still alive and happy in the Lord's service. There is still work to be done. The fields are white unto harvest and the labourers are few, so we continue to sow and to reap in God;s kingdom.

Soon I shall post chapter 80 of my autobiography entitled "This is my story" It will be the last chapter on Hong Kong and Taiwan.

I don't know if I would be able to complete the next segment - life in the Philippines, in London and in retirement. Only the Lord knows. Memory is not as good these days and the power of recall is weakening, but while I am still able, I must go on.

We were at the Prayer meeting at Bishan this morning. How good it is to meet fellow believers to pray. This means getting up earlier. Every Thursday we wake up at 4.15 a.m., this gives us time to go for our morning walk, personal devotions, breakfast and then depart from where we are at 6.45 a.m. for the Place of Prayer, the chapel at Territorial Hqrs at Bishan. It's always an enriching experience to meet with likeminded folk who believe in the power of prayer.

We came home and to our surprise, visitors started coming. Whilst I was reading my mail I heard a "male voice choir" comprising two officers - Lieutenant Anthony Yong and Captain Hary. It was a duet, sorry not male voice choir. The Lieutenant sang the melody, the Captain put in his part and they made a joyful noise unto the Lord. The harmony was somewhat unusual and as I am not a musician, I dare not make comment but showed my appreciation. They also brought a chocolate cake, my favourite. A phone call to the office and three others, Major Pascoe, Tan Bee Yit and Raymond Aloba came and joined the party. Then sister Joy Goh came with gifts and joined in the celebration. It was a happy morning. We thank God for friends who really care for each other.

Come to think of it, my mother told me I was a premature baby at birth - and a sickly baby compared with my siblings. And I have outlived them all. God has a good sense of humour.

I still conduct meetings, still preach the word when invited to do so. I still write out a Bible lesson every week for our Adult Bible Class and conduct a cell group every Friday. We still visit Peacehaven |Nursing |Home to do chapel service and pastoral visitation. It's all by the grace of God.

Now I move on. Will I reach my 82? Well only God knows. And thank God for my wife. Come 7th June we will celebrate our 55th Wedding Anniversary. Fifty five years of happy married life, it has been great and enriching all the way because of God's blessing.

So here am I enjoying my birthday just reflecting, thanking and praising God for His goodness. God is great, God is good, God is gracious. To Him be the glory! Allow me to conclude with my favourite song by Stanley Ditmer, the chorus says

I’m in His hands, I’m in His hands
Whatever 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.

Supporting one another

We visited two handicapped ladies living together at Dover HDB flat. Both are in their seventies and they depend on each other for support. They are not able to travel by bus so when they do go out have to use taxis. Their flat has two bedrooms; they both share one room and the other is rented out to get some income.

But they are cheerful for they both know, love and serve the Lord. Every Sunday, TOUCH community services come to transport them to church and bring them home again. Friends give support.

We thank God we are still able to move around ministering in God's name. John Ruskin, poet and art critic made this statement concerning a good artist. He needs three essential qualities

1. An eye to see and appreciate the beauty of the scene he desires to catch on canvas.
2. A heart to feel and register the beauty and atmosphere of the scene.
3. A hand to perform - to transfer to canvas what the eye has seen and the heart felt.

I am not an artist, but as a servant of the Lord I need these same qualities to serve Him by ministering to others. I've been pondering over the words of Scripture regarding Jesus. When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them. When he saw the leper, an outcast of society, He stretched out His hand and touch that leper. Jesus had eyes to see and heart to feel when He walked the earth.

The two handicapped ladies live on their own, but thank God there are people to care and give practical support. My prayer to day,

"Help us to help each other, Lord,
   Each other's cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid afford,
  And feel his brother's care." Charles Wesley.

Birthday celebration.

Tuesday, our day at Peacehaven Nursing Home. We joined the staff for a lovely lunch followed by the cutting of the birthday cake and folk singing Happy Birthday to me.

We first ministered at the Home for the Aged at Pasir Panjang. Later became the Peacehaven Nursing Home when it moved to Changi. We've been great blessed by our interaction with the residents and staff.

Our youngest child, Dora Poh Chin is a resident in this Home, very well cared for by the team of dedicated nurses and other staff.

Servanthood - the sprit of Christ.

Pope gives chair and snack to Swiss guard.

Pope Francis awoke recently to discover a Swiss guard outside the door of his apartment....he asked what the guard was doing and if he had been up all night.

The guard explained that it was his duty to protect the Pope....

Pope Francis encouraged him to sit down and rest... and returned with a chair...

The guard protested, saying, "Holy Father, forgive me, but I cannot! The regulations do not allow that'...

Pope Francis replied: "Oh really? Well, I'm the Pope and I order you to sit down."

A few minutes later Pope Francis returned carrying Italian bread with jam which he had prepared himself. He said, "With all the hours spent standing on guard you must be a bit hungry. Bon appetite, brother." (Quoted from "The Catholic Herald")

Bear one another's burdens

Yesterday, my wife and I visited her former classmate at Sixth Avenue. We heard that her brother,  a doctor had gone to be with the Lord. We went to pray with this lady and her handicapped younger sister, both quite frail. Both are spinsters. They really appreciated  our short visit.

As age catches up on us, we cannot do much, but we thank God, we still have the strength to get around to do ministry. We were pleased our grand daughter Rachel on her way to Bishan for worship practice was able to give us a lift.

Everyday we thank God for family and friends. My wife and I thank God for each other. Come next month, 7th June we shall celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. How grateful we are to God who has blessed us all these years.

"Bear one another's burdens and thereby fulfil the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2

The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the labourers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.

Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I now know I can find it in thee.

O is not the Christ ‘midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master’s own love,
Without his anointing and seal?

It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labour and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee. (Albert Orsborn)

"I'll not turn back"

I've been greatly blessed as I watched  a youtube - two Korean girls played a beautiful duet. I posted this in Facebook to share with others.

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly,
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty.
And men despise the Saviour I've adored.
 
I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost,
I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,.
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost.

If doors should close then other doors will open,
The word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I'll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master's name.

Usual cell group on Vesak Day

Every Friday morning we hold a cell group meeting at our home. Today being Vesak Day, a public holiday in Singapore we thought of cancelling it, but the majority of our cell group members, requested that we should continue meeting. Eleven of us met and had a good and blessed time. First we watched the video - "The Bible Jesus read" by Philip Yancy and spent the morning discussing the first chapter.

After the meeting, we adjourned to the Civil Service Club at Bukit Batok and had lunch together to celebrate my birthday in advance. How kind and thoughtful of these folk.

There is a beautiful spirit of unity among our members and each week we meet we never fail to encourage one another in the faith. We thank God for our friends who bring much blessing to our lives.

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thess. 5: 11

"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."  Acts 2:42-47

Imperfections

The Founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth was travelling with a businessman, a good friend and supporter of The Army. This kind friend said a lot of good things about The Army then quietly added, "General, I really like the Army....but there is one fault I find with your people..." Before he could say what the fault was, William Booth broke in, "One fault?" he asked, "Why, friend, I can find thousands!"

I cannot say for certain whether this was a historical fact, or just a legend, the fact remains true. The Salvation Army is imperfect because it is made up of imperfect people. When I joined The Army I brought in my share of imperfections! I am still trying to be good, so everyday I pray this prayer

To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
This is my prayer and creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
The Spirit helping me,
Like Him I'll be.

Praying and supporting each other

We were early arriving at Peacehaven today so decided to join the group which meet every Tuesday for prayer at the Board Room.  When we walked into the room, we were pleasantly surprised hear the leader calling the folk 'to pray specially for Commissioner and Mrs. Lim.' The group laughed out loud at the strange coincidence. They then moved towards us - stretched out their hands to bless us.
We were truly blessed as everyone prayed either out loud or silently.

We go each week to minister to the residents and staff but in turn are being ministered by them.

We had a great time conducting chapel service at Skylark. Today Candidate Joyce Tan was with us. My wife gave the message in Cantonese; I translated into English and Joyce into Hokkien. Good to see her enthusiasm. Normally I have to translate into both English and Hokkien myself. We thank God for giving us this ministry at our Salvation Army Nursing Home.

The Power of Prayer

Some thoughts that came to me while I sat at the balcony having my quiet time with God.

Lord what change within us one short hour
  Spent in Thy presence will avail to make!
  What heavy burdens from our bosoms take;
What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!
We kneel and all around us seems to lower;
   We rise, and all the distant and the near
    Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear!
We kneel, how weak! we rise, how full of power!
Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong;
That we are ever overborne with care;
    That we should ever weak or heartless be,
And anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,
    And joy and strength and courage are with thee?  Richard Chevenix Trench.

There are numerous what we term 'means of grace' to help us draw near to God. The Salvation Army Song Book, the Army's publication, "Words of Life" and of course the Bible, all provide considerable help.

Pentecost Sunday at Balestier

We were truly blessed at Balestier yesterday when we did the meeting. It was Pentecost Sunday and we celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as is recorded in Acts 2. We could sense the moving of the Spirit at the meeting.

When we celebrate Christmas or the Incarnation, the world celebrates with us even if for the wrong reasons, some for commercial, some for pleasure. When we celebrate the Atonement and Easter we Christians celebrate on our own, although there are those who make use of the occasion to make a fast buck, or some pleasure. When it comes to the Ascension, there seems to be little or no mention despite this being a special day in the Christian calendar, and it is important to us believers. When it comes to Pentecost or Whitsun, the church celebrates although we differ on the interpretation. One thing we agree, we need the Holy Spirit who baptizes us, fills us and empowers us.

We do not always understand the workings of God's Spirit. The wind blows where it wills, we do not know where it comes from and where it goes, so does the work of the Spirit. God is sovereign and does not confine to one way of doing things. Pentecost as it happened that day in Jerusalem had never been repeated but the Spirit of Pentecost is still evident. The form changes but the essence is the same. God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform!

Captain Hary is giving good leadership at the Corps (church) and community centre. New people are being added to the congregation, people are getting converted, thanks to the Lord for reviving the work.

We sense there is good pastoral care for the people. When the leaders love the people, work for the people, feed them and nurture them, the church grows.

Bukit Brown cemetry

Last evening I watched the interesting documentary on channel 5 on the Bukit Brown cemetery. According to the Singapore Heritage it is the largest Chinese cemetery outside China. The Government will be building a road through the cemetery. This will be completed by the year 2016.

I must confess I've never visited this cemetery. I cannot recall any of my ancestors being buried there.
My father who came from China was buried in 1965 at the Bidadari Christian Cemetery. I recall collecting his remains and his ashes are now in the crematorium. I don't know anything about my mother's ancestors as she was born in Singapore and passed away in 1980 buried at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.

Thinking about cemeteries, when we were in England, I loved to see the old country church yards! O I wish I could go to an old English church, sit in the church yard and read, Gray's "Elegy in a Country churchyard."

The poem begins with "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
                                         The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
                                      The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,
                                       And leaves the world to darkness and to me."

As he sits, reflects he says,
                                  Full many a gem of purest ray serene
                                    The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear;
                                  Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
                                   And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

O I love my solitude to be away far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. So here am I sitting alone in my little room reflecting.

And I hear God telling me, "Be still and know that I am God."

Farewell of Colonel Gillian Downer

We stayed on after the prayer meeting to attend the farewell of our Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer. We were joined by staff of Territorial Headquarters and some from the centres.

After the meeting, we had a group photograph taken and then had our refreshments. It was good to meet the folk there, although many of the employees are new to me.

She leaves tomorrow for London, have a short vacation before taking up her appointment as the International Secretary of South Pacific and East Asia. We wish her God's richest blessings.

Prayer meeting

We missed the last two weeks' Prayer meeting because of my wife's medical appointments. Today we managed to get to the Prayer meeting. What a blessed time we had as we participated in this meeting. O it was great to hear the sincere pleadings of God's servants. We prayed for places like Pakistan, Mali, Bangladesh etc. We in Singapore have been very blessed, that at times we fail to stop and think of suffering humanity in many other lands. The hour spent in praise, worship and prayer went very quickly.

In prayer we are connecting with God, maintaining the relationship with Him. In prayer we listen to Him as well as voicing our thanksgiving, petitions and intercessions. Prayer is at the heart of a vital relationship with God.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing.

Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me

Coming Sunday, 19th May we shall be worshipping with our brothers and sisters at Balestier Corps, the church where I grew up. We shall be celebrating Pentecost, the outpouring the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts of the Apostles.

Bishop Stephen Neill has a book on the church's mission entitled "The Unfinished Task." On the cover of the book is a picture of a church building surrounded by scaffolding suggesting that it is still in the process of being built. God's Spirit is at work and He is only beginning to create, out of the shattered fragments of the Christian community throughout the world, a church that will more truly reflect and proclaim the gospel in the world.

The question we need to ask ourselves very seriously is whether we are prepared to submit ourselves to the Spirit of God in order that we may be used in the building of His church. To be used by Him means the willingness to be changed, to be reshaped and to be renewed.

Daniel Iverson's well known and well loved prayer comes to my mind and I sing it often in church as well as in my own private devotion.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me,
Break me, melt me, mould me, full me,
Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me.

This is my prayer right now.

General Linda Bond

General Linda Bond after her visit to Myanmar came to Singapore. A meeting was held at the Singapore Central Corps on Monday evening. She gave a very powerful message challenging the people to be true to our mission of saving souls, growing saints and serving suffering humanity.

The combined band conducted by Bandmaster David Lim of Central Corps accompanied the singing.
The William Booth Corps worship team was also on duty.

It was also the farewell of our Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer who will be leaving for London to take up her new appointment as the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia with the rank of Commissioner. (I held this appointment from 1993-1997) She is my tenth successor. We retired from this position 16 years ago.

Unfortunately my wife was not able to attend this special meeting. Earlier on in the day, it was necessary for her to go to National University Hospital. The doctors detained her for the night for observation.  She underwent a series of tests on Monday.

She was discharged this afternoon and is now home resting. As age creeps up on us, different parts of the body deteriorate. We thank God for excellent medical facilities, efficient medical staff that provide good medical care for the people. Ultimately it is God who gives healing and we thank God for His love and goodness.

We were sorry we missed the Officers' councils held this morning. The General was the speaker and I understand our colleagues who were there testified of blessings received.

Mother's Day

Today we celebrated Mother's Day. The message for today -"The legacy of faithfulness" was based on Exodus 2: 1-10 the story of Jochebed who had to make some tough decisions on behalf of her son who was in imminent danger. In life we too have to make hard decisions that demand great faith in God.

The Pharaoh felt threatened by the Israelites living in his country and was intent on destroying them.
He had ordered the midwives to destroy all the male babies born to Israelite women, but that plan did not seem to work. He ordered all new born Jewish boys to be thrown into the river Nile to drown.

Moses mother waterproofed a basket, put her baby inside and hid him in the river. By God's providence, the Pharaoh's daughter discovered him. God used the baby's tears to touch and control her heart. The Princess adopted him and through the baby's sister Miriam, Jochebed was employed to look after the baby named Moses. Think of it, she was paid to look after her own baby.

She was able to teach and influence him before giving him back to the princess who saw to his upbringing in the palace. Moses was educated in the elite schools and universities in Egypt. The legacy  of faith given by his mother's own faith, prepared him to become the mighty man of God who led the nation our of slavery.

God will make a way when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side.
His love and strength for each new day
He will make a way.

After the meeting we gathered in the social hall to have Mother's Day lunch, prepared and served by the men folk. It was a great time of fellowship.

Saving faith

French acrobat and tightrope walker Charles Blondin stretched a tightrope 1,100 foot long some 160 feet above Niagara Falls. In a bold performance, he announced his intention to cross the falls blindfolded with a volunteer on his back. The crowd of spectators roared with approval.

Blondin turned to a man among the cheering crowd and invited him to be the volunteer. The poor man promptly refused. (Come to think of it, I would too!)

It was one thing and admire the great Blondin who could carry a man on his back across the raging waters, but quite another thing to trust him to do it. The faith that saves is the faith that is steadfast.

O for faith that will not shrink
  Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
   Of any earthly woe...
Lord, give me such a faith as this,
   And then, whatever may come,
I'll taste even now the hallowed bliss
   Of an eternal home.  - William H Bathhurst (1796-1977)

This is my story - Hong Kong/Taiwan 79

79 - English speaking Corps (church)

The language used in all the Corps (churches) in Hong Kong has always been Cantonese. However at the Kowloon Central Corps, there is simultaneous interpretation into English for the benefit of tourists and those who do not understand Cantonese. Headsets are provided for them during the meetings for them to listen in English.

A bi-monthly Sunday English meeting was held in the evening at the Kowloon Central Corps and different reinforcement officers took turns to be responsible. Requests were put to me to hold weekly meetings and soon this was put into operation.

One Salvationist couple from Scotland, Dr. Albert Clark and lecturer at the University of Hong Kong and his wife Jeanette chose to worship at Wanchai Corps. There he even built up a good band and was their bandmaster for many years. The meetings were all in Cantonese, but this couple did not mind at all. They were there to worship God and there was always some comrade who would sit beside them to interpret the message into English.

The Clarks were very good Salvationists and contributed much to the church at Wanchai. Quite often the Wanchai band would be on duty at our regular weekly Thursday night Holiness meeting. I did the preaching most weeks with participation by folk from various Corps (churches.) The meeting was bi-lingual – Cantonese and English.

The Property Secretary Major Joe Wilcox and his wife chose to worship at the Tai Hung Tung Corps where he built up a very good band. Language was no barrier for there were always those who would interpret for them. They became part of the fellowship supporting and encouraging each other in the name of Christ and witnessing to His glory.

To cater for the growing number of foreign workers, particularly those who worked as domestic workers, most of them came from the Philippines; we started an English speaking Corps at the Command Headquarters on Sunday evenings. The reinforcement officers would join them in worship and one of the reinforcement officers was appointed as the Corps Officer (pastor)

The English speaking Corps later was relocated to Wanchai and an officer from the Philippines now takes charge of this church.

John Oxenham expresses beautifully the universal character of the church to which we belong.

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

Mother's day thoughts

Sunday 12th May will be Mother's Day. so here am I having some thoughts on this important day in our calender/

I wonder where would I be today had it not been for my mother who made great sacrifices to bring up four children. She was illiterate and could not speak a word of English. She spoke her own dialect Teochew and Malay and brought the family up using these two languages.

She was married at the age of 16 to my father much older than she. He had been a stowaway from China at the age of 12. Penniless and with no friends or relatives in Singapore, he went to a construction site, got himself a job and became a brick layer. We did not see much of father, but when he did come home, he was quite often drunk. So mum made all the decisions for the family.

Much against my father's will, she insisted that the three boys should attend English School. She did not see any reason to send the eldest a girl to school! After all girls would just stay home to cook and do housework!

There was no such thing as kindergarten in those days, so I started in Primary 1 at the Rangoon Road Afternoon school. I can still remember my first teacher, Mrs. de Souza.

Mother laboured as a washerwoman; washed clothes for several families in the morning, then rushed home to take me to school, then back again to do the ironing. She did this  in the initial months, till I knew the way to and from school, each day walking from Lorong Limau to Rangoon Road and back. Well, we all survived living from hand to mouth. She gave me one cent a day to get a drink from what we called the 'tuck shop.'

She also worked as a caretaker at The Salvation Army Balestier Road. It was a shop house, so there was not much to do, except to sweep and wash the cement floor once a week. She was invited to the Home League and the ladies were kind to her. Before I started school I used to attend the Home League with her.  O I loved the Home League for one good reason - the ladies would always give me cakes to eat! Home League to me was the best meeting, much better than Sunday school.

Then the war came and life changed for us all. I had three and a half years 'school vacation' after the fateful day when the Japanese invaded Singapore on Chinese New Year 1942.

A gracious society

This afternoon, I went to Beauty World Plaza at the 7th mile Bukit Timah to visit my Indian barber to get my hair cut. I don't want to look like Samson next week when we meet the General Linda Bond.

In my conversation with the boss, I mentioned the convenience of visiting his shop and that I would continue coming till the day when I would not be able make my way there. He gave me smile and said, "When that time comes, just let me know and I will come to cut you hair in your own home." What a nice thought there are so many caring people.

Everyday we meet caring people. On my way home, it was raining cats and dogs with lightning and thunder! When I got into the bus a young girl quickly signalled to me and then gave me her seat. Nowadays my wife and I do not have to stand in the crowded bus. There are always people, who will give us their seats. There are advantages being elderly. Thank God for caring people.

Visit to Peacehaven

We were at Peacehaven this morning and it was tough speaking to a group of elderly men with dementia. They didn't seem to respond,  I just played my concertina and both of us sang and sang and tried to get them to clap. A few did respond.

As we will not be visiting the Home next Tuesday because of the visit of the General, we decided to do Level 2 and Level 3. Residents here were more responsive and a number said to us "We have not seen you for a long time."  Time drags for some these folk and even if we were to visit them tomorrow we' ll get the same remark. They love visitors.

It was a full morning for us, but it did us good sharing fellowship with the staff, nurses and residents.

Visit of Chief Secretary and TSWM

We had the visit of our Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Lyndon Buckingham and his wife the Territorial Secretary of Women's Ministries Lieut. Colonel Bronwyn Buckingham. What a delightful couple and we are blest to have them in our territory and today at our Corps (church) They are such warm, friendly people always reaching out to others. We believe they are the right leaders appointed to our territory for such a time as this. God keeps perfect timing.

It seems quite traditional for the man to give the message and the wife to have a short word. That seems to be the Salvation Army custom, except for perhaps Mother's Day. Or the wife might read the Bible.

Today, we were pleasantly surprised, Lieut. Colonel Lyndon gave a short message of encouragement not a sermon during the meeting and the preacher was his wife, Lieut. Colonel Bronwyn who spoke on "Identity in Christ", message based on Ephesians 2: 1-10. It was a good, simple and timely message that in Christ 'we are a new creation.'
By grace He has given us a new identity and while on earth we are to reflect this life of Christ.

"To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
His Spirit helping me,
Like Him I'll be (John Gowans)

Come June 1st they will be our new Territorial Leaders. This must be the shortest term of office for any Chief Secretary - just five months.

Life's an adventure

Life's an adventure...
for we don't know how
God will direct us
from where we stand now.
We need only to trust Him
to show us the way
and He will reveal it
in love day by day.
- Roy Lessin

Cell group meeting

Every Friday, we host a cell group meeting in our home. The majority are retirees, but there are younger ones who are on shift work,  or those who take Friday off to spend time in fellowship with us. One lady is in the real estate business so has flexi time.

We have just completed the series on a book by John Otberg - "When the game is over it all goes back into the box." The book tells us how to play the game of life. John Otberg's grandmother had taught him the game of Monopoly, a game he used as an illustration about life and death.

The book concludes with this statement, "One day it's all going back in the box. You may have thought in this life, you were Master of the Board. Or you may have played the role of a pawn. Stuff and titles and what passes for good fortune this time around this game board don't really amount to all that much.
But don't despair. Live wisely. the king still has one more move."

Well, the King is coming again.

Sing we the King who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain;
Life and salvation His empire shall bring,
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King. (Charles Sylvester Horne)

Possession and ownership

"I don't possess any land, but no one can take the landscape from me. Possession is having a library of books you never read. Ownership is saying with Fenelon, 'If all the crowns of Europe were laid at my feet in exchange for my love of reading, I would spurn them all.' Possession is having a house, ownership is having a home."  Bishop J R Wilson.

Peacehaven Bedok Multi-Service Centre or BMC

Every fifth Tuesday, instead of visiting Peacehaven Nursing Home, we now visit  the Peacehaven Bedok Multi-Service Centre.

Peacehaven Bedok Multi-Service Centre (BMC) is a day centre providing three programmes, namely Dementia Care, Integrated Rehabilitation and SPICE (Singapore Programme for Integrated Care for the Elderly). Launched in October 2010, SPICE aims to delay institutionalization of clients, thereby allowing them to live with their families and remain in the community for as long as possible.

Each client in BMC has his/her individual care customized according to his/her needs and our team (consisting of a registered nurse, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a social worker) will review the care plans every three months.

What a great time we had with the staff and clients as we mingled with the folk there and led them in singing old songs and choruses. Attendance at this singing and sharing session is entirely voluntary. They love to listen to us recalling the memories of the past, of God's wonderful leadings. Elderly people love to talk and recall the past - those good old days.

Yes, it was a time to count our blessings, name them one by one. We spoke in English, Hokkien mixed with Cantonese - dialects they are familiar.

We wish we could be with these beautiful people every week or even everyday, but we have other commitments. We thank God He still enables us to continue with ministry.