Hope

‘“CAN anything be done to bring the Gospel to the thousands of seamen who sail in and out of this harbour every month?” inquired an old salt, a Norwegian captain who has been sailing in and out of Singapore for twenty years. “If God leads us to find the proper man I will be responsible […]

Methodists throughout the world are doing their part in helping the victims and survivors of the South Asia tsunami as well as their families by giving donations in cash and kind. But more importantly, they are providing long-term relief and rehabilitation. NASHVILLE — Watching images from the tsunami catastrophe in Asia might compel some people […]

THE gentle sea suddenly changed character, and in a fit of madness, became a monstrous hand that snatched thousands away in its deadly grasp. It left behind a scene of death and devastation that has haunted the world with terrible images of bloated, rigid, decaying bodies strewn along beaches and among endless miles of debris. […]

  METHODISTS have united with other Singaporeans in their compassion for victims of the Dec 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean and left more than 150,000 dead. “At such a time like this, we are called to respond with love and compassion and think of the thousands […]

Twelve good years, fruitful and challenging TWELVE good and fruitful years on the whole, although the first few years were “challenging years”. The Rev Dr Isaac Lim said this at a recent farewell interview with Methodist Message after he retired as President of TRAC last November. He announced his early retirement at the 29th Session of […]

The Rev Egon Ostrom, Methodist missionary assigned to the Sumatra Mission Conference in 1931, had this remarkable story of Lam Chin to tell. A frail, elderly woman, her life was changed from an idol-worshipper to a humble but effective Christian, sharing the Gospel with others in her community. From idol-worshipper to effective Gospel story-teller ‘… […]

Hospice ministry “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’”— John 11:40. ONE of the greatest lessons we learn in the hospice ministry is the truth that God has given us victory over death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus raised […]

Nearly 80 years ago, Ho Seng Ong, educationist and one-time Methodist Education Secretary, had some pertinent things to say about the aims of education. He made these points, still relevant today, as Schools Editor of the Malaysia Message.   ‘… TO MY fellow teachers, I wish to address myself next. Our task is a noble […]

In the beautifully crafted Letter to Philemon, Paul tells Philemon and the church in his home how grace should work out in their situation. Scholars disagree as to how Onesimus actually met up with Paul – was it a coincidence, or did he actually seek out the apostle? If the latter, why? We don’t know. […]

AND I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or […]

We are familiar with James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who, together with Peter, were the closest disciples of Jesus. But who was Zebedee, their father, and how did he view his sons’ change of business plans? “Voices from Scripture” is a work of fiction in which we imagine the thoughts and feelings of […]

IT WAS Dec 20, 1999. My husband and I were out on an anniversary date, celebrating 13 years of marriage and 11 years of missionary life in Singapore. As we strolled by a music shop, we noticed that they were having their annual “Christmas sale” and decided to stop and browse through the music. It […]