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Service And Witness
While serving as a maid in London, England, in the early part of the 20th century, Gladys Aylward had other dreams. Her goal was to be a missionary to China. Having been rejected by a Christian missionary organization as “unqualified,” Gladys decided to go there on her own. At the age of 28, she used her life savings to purchase a one-way ticket to Yangcheng, a remote village in China. There she established an inn for trade caravans where she shared Bible stories. Gladys served in other villages as well and became known as Ai-weh-deh, Chinese for “virtuous one.”
Walking on Water
By Sheryl Tay, Singapore Often, we desire to commit our whole lives to God. But when it comes to actually surrendering our career, our relationships, our families to God, we hesitate. We are afraid that when we take that step of faith to walk on water, we might drown. In my mission trip to Cebu, [...]
Movie Review: Monsters University
By Joy Goh, Singapore The first prequel to Pixar film Monsters University reads like your typical college-themed movie—a story about an unlikely pair of friends who form the college underdogs’ team—except that this time round, we have lots of fabric dye and fantastic comedy thrown into the mix. Mike and Sulley (voiced by the fabulous [...]
Late Arrivals Welcome
One night when I visited a nursing home, a resident named Tom slipped out quietly from his room, hoping to catch me to chat. After we talked awhile, he asked, “Won’t God be insulted if I become a Christian this late in life?” Tom’s question wasn’t a surprise. As a chaplain, I often hear it in varying forms from the elderly, from those who struggle with addictions, from former prisoners. They think they have a legitimate reason to believe it’s too late for them to know God or to be used by Him.
Late Arrivals Welcome
One night when I visited a nursing home, a resident named Tom slipped out quietly from his room, hoping to catch me to chat. After we talked awhile, he asked, “Won’t God be insulted if I become a Christian this late in life?” Tom’s question wasn’t a surprise. As a chaplain, I often hear it in varying forms from the elderly, from those who struggle with addictions, from former prisoners. They think they have a legitimate reason to believe it’s too late for them to know God or to be used by Him.
Love And Prayer
In a popular children’s book, Winnie the Pooh watches Kanga bound away. I wish I could jump like that, he thinks. Some can and some can’t. That’s how it is.
Overcoming Gatsby’s Crisis
By Sheryl Tay, Singapore Jay Gatsby had an identity crisis. Sure, his perseverance was admirable, but his efforts were aimed at pleasing multiple characters in his life. Yes, he did become Jay Gatsby—his ideal persona (his real name was James Gatz), but he did so by engaging in corruption. Yes, he did become Daisy’s lover, [...]
Let’s Stick Together
Most regions of the world are familiar with the amazing phenomenon of snow. Snowflakes are beautiful, uniquely crafted ice crystals. Individual snowflakes are fragile, and they quickly melt if they land on your hand. Yet, en masse they create a force to be reckoned with. They can shut down major cities while creating beautiful landscapes of snow-laden trees whose pictures decorate calendars and become the subject of artwork. They provide pleasure on the ski slopes and joy for children as they make snowmen and ammunition for snowball fights. All because they stick together.
Do recent earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters indicate the endtimes?
By Dan Vander Lugt There have been some powerful earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and other natural disasters recently, but they aren’t unique to our time. Because population density is much higher today than in past centuries, more people tend to be killed when natural disasters occur. People of Jesus’ day were superstitious and believed that natural [...]
Reflection: When God Isn’t Answering Your Prayer
By Lau Jue Hua, Singapore Most of us have been taught that prayer is the first thing to do when we are in trouble. While it is sound advice, there is a possible pitfall. When we view prayer as a problem-solving technique, we lose sight of God’s intended purpose of it—as an instrument of intimacy [...]
Reflection on “Seconds”
Written by Benjamin Smith, Perth, Western Australia As I sit deep in thought, In my family’s lounge room, My attention is drawn to an old pendulum clock. I spend time and thought reflecting on this clock, Reflecting on time itself. As the pendulum swings from side to side, The chime goes tick, tock, tick, tock, [...]
Reflection on “Seconds”
Written by Benjamin Smith, Perth, Western Australia As I sit deep in thought, In my family’s lounge room, My attention is drawn to an old pendulum clock. I spend time and thought reflecting on this clock, Reflecting on time itself. As the pendulum swings from side to side, The chime goes tick, tock, tick, tock, [...]
My Utmost for His Highest
. . . do you love Me? . . . Tend My sheep —John 21:16
Jesus did not say to make converts to your way of thinking, but He said to look after His sheep, to see that they get …
Social Media Fuels Our Discontent?
By Lau Jue Hua, Singapore Apparently, Facebook could make you feel discontented with your life. Researchers from two German universities surveyed 600 students regarding their feelings after using Facebook. More than one-third of the respondents feel worse after visiting friends’ pages. They cited predominantly negative feelings of anger, exhaustion, frustration, and irritation. Thirty percent considered [...]
Every Word Matters
Kim Peek was a savant (a person with extraordinary memory) who memorized all of Shakespeare’s plays. During a performance of Twelfth Night, Peek noticed that the actor had skipped a word from one of the lines. Peek suddenly stood up and shouted, “Stop!” The actor apologized and said he didn’t think anyone would mind. Peek replied, “Shakespeare would.”
